Here I was, in the midst of making two girls cower, and thus comes in the pure-hearted Heroine and sees this...

I didn't expect anything good of the situation either, for Bridgette would likely notice my discomfort with the Heroine in an instant.

Now, while she is indeed a bit of an airhead, the heroine isn't stupid. She can tell what is going on at a glance and sense the air in a room perfectly. However, in the book she was an avid believer in peace and in getting along, due to the nightmarish scene she experienced when she was small... and... a lack of education.

I suppose I needn't be worried, since her mother survived and she should have gotten plenty of education. Indeed... if I look at it that way, then things should be fine.

As expected, Claire's expression falls as she notices what is going on.

"U-uhm..."

She decides to interfere despite the argument being between two people ranking higher than her... but then she hesitates.

"What is going on here?" William comes to her aid as my political opponent. Now, William isn't as easy to deal with as he once was. As long as it comes down plain retorting insults then I am fine, but... well... he needs to be good at these things or he wouldn't do as the son of the prime minister.

I turn towards William when an unexpected voice answers:

"William-sama. It is merely a pathetic display of insubordination of Miss Bryar, who attempted to degrade the dear Lady Lily in front us. Of course Lady Lily fended off her accusations beautifully. However, I sincerely hope that the other low nobles of this county know better manners."

I look back over my shoulder to the girl speaking up for me. I... admit to being taken a bit aback for being praised, but also that a foreigner was meddling with what was technically an internal dispute. No, I suppose it was a brilliant opportunity to make an indirect insult... but to do that while Gilbert is in the same class...

I glance back to William for his reaction, but he is as surprised as I am.

"I see..." He looks at me with narrowed eyes with that 'I will get you next time' sort of expression.

Don't look at me like that.

I didn't plan this.

I peer back up at the girl who had attracted a Gilbert. From the symbol on her uniform I know two things. One, she's the daughter of an earl, and she's from Crinia, a country across the ocean. Historically an enemy of Gilbert's fief. With that situation I'm amazed with her courage since Gilbert is near. I am pretty sure that they of all people know, that the Salender family uses a lot of poison.

"Now, where is your apology to Lady Lily?" The foreigner girl put immediate pressure on Bridgette, whom I had half forgotten about with the appearance of larger foes.

Bridgette's complexion has turned pallid. The reason why is clear. There is one thing the foreigner girl didn't mention, and that is that she was originally supporting Jesmaine. Jesmaine, however, appeared to have blended into the background with skill I didn't expect of a prince's fiance... and Gilbert... Gilbert who... had been in the room the entire time wasn't saying a thing either... nor did anyone else...

In other words.

None came to Bridgette's rescue.

What about her followers? They were both sheltered daughters of Barons. They probably thought they could rise in rank by staying near Bridgette... but... with how things were turning out... they had both taken a step away from Bridgette and were attempting to blend into the crowd as well.

Bridgette hesitates.

If she apologizes then she's lost all opportunity to make a name of herself for at least a year. She needs this win, likely more than I need not to lose.

What will you do, Bridgette?

The answer was simpler than I thought.

Tears began to stream down her pale, make-up covered cheeks and with a sweet sniffle she peered up at me like a victim of cruelty.

...

She's an utter disgrace... but... sadly in this world it is a valid weapon for the cowards and the dishonorable... fine, come at me. I've bashed William for that behavior a dozen times already, my answer is prepared! Don't blame me for the consequences.

I fold my hands neatly in my lap and prepare for whatever outrageous thing is about to come out of her painted lips.

Clasp.

The Heroine enters the fray unexpectedly and grasps Bridgette's hand.

Bridgette twitches for a moment at the interruption to her act, now faced with the bountiful chest and sparkly touched eyes of our Heroine.

"It's okay, I'll help you apologize properly, okay?" Our heroine gives a brilliant smile that would melt hearts.

Eh?

A sense of... disappointment spreads through my body... no... I mean... this situation... was it not a bit too anti-climatic?

I'm the villainess, right?

So if I decide to do something cruel then the world should let me do something cruel?

"I-I'm sorry..." Bridgette, fully and utterly charmed by our Heroine, folds. Her cheeks are lightly red and... she's staring up at the Heroine while apologizing... She's out of it. Bridgette had broken.

She just fell for the heroine, didn't she?

Oh dear lord.

I don't know whether to laugh or just remain shocked.

"See, you did well." Claire gently brushes Bridgette's tears away with a smile and delivers the final knock out to the pitiful creature that has gone red from ear to ear.

Claire turns to me with a determined look.

No.

Go away.

I do not want to be the target of such a devastating affectionate attack from you.

"U-uhm Lady Lily." She looks at me intensely with sparks of hope in those large eyes while gathering her slender hands into small fists she folds in front of her.

"I-Is your brother at the academy?!" She bursts out with hints of red spreading on her cheeks from saying it out loud.

Ara.

I have a bad feeling about this.

"Yes, Eric does attend," I respond while glancing to Bridgette, who has finally woken from her daze and now stares at our Heroine in shock.

Didn't think we'd be friendly, or is she jealous? I sincerely hope not.

Our beautiful heroine's aura fades for a moment with a sort of uncertainty.

"Uhm... not Eric-sama... Hero-s... Augustus-sama..."

Her eyes sparkle with hope again and her eyes are rounded like the begging eyes of a puppy.

She was definitely going to say Hero-sama, wasn't she? How am I going to answer this, because 'Augustus' is certainly attending the academy, but there is no way I intend to reveal that. It would be a nightmare to have her want to meet Augustus. First of all, I cannot make the voice of a man. Secondly, cross-dressing carries considerable risks. Thirdly, Augustus is not one of our Heroine's promised men.

This would be a lot easier if I could lie... however, lying is unacceptable... as such... a diversion...

"Ah~ I'd heard you were probably in love with 'Augustus', Claire-chan."

It was no answer... it was a diversion. I could think of no way to honestly answer her question so this was the best thing I could come up with. Cover up the question with a scandal!

Again... Our Heroine exceeded my expectations.

"Y-yes..."

Her cheeks flushed red and her gaze dropped shyly to her feet.

Oh dear.

Had things become easy because I was one of our Heroine's interests?